Decoding Zayn Malik's Latest Track 'Shoot At Will': Is It a Tribute to Ex Gigi Hadid and Daughter Khai?

Why Fans Think Zayn Maliks New Song Shoot at Will Is About Ex Gigi Hadid and Daughter Khai

Zayn Malik, Gigi Hadid Gotham/GC Images;Victor Boyko/Getty Images(2) for Miu Miu

Zayn Malik has recently released his fourth studio album, titled Room Under the Stairs. In one of the songs called "Shoot At Will," the 31-year-old singer emotionally reflects on a troubled relationship. Fans have started to wonder if the song was inspired by his past relationship with ex-girlfriend Gigi Hadid and their daughter, Khai.

"When I see her, all I think about is you / Do you think of me when you see her too?" Malik sings in the first verse, possibly talking about Hadid, 29, and their 3-year-old daughter, Khai.

One fan on TikTok used these lyrics as a background for photos of Malik with his ex and child. Another fan on X platform mentioned that the song serves as Zayn's way of finding closure from that past relationship, saying, "We got to see things from his perspective over the past few years."

Malik and Hadid started dating in 2015 and had their daughter, Khai, five years later. Unfortunately, their relationship ended for good in 2021 after an incident involving Gigi's mother, Yolanda Hadid. In October 2021, it was revealed that Malik faced four criminal harassment charges for allegedly hitting and insulting Yolanda, who is 60 years old.

Initially denying the accusations, Malik later pleaded no contest to the charges. As a result, he was sentenced to a 360-day probation and required to attend anger management and domestic violence programs.

Malik's song "Shoot at Will" suggests that he still has feelings for a past love. In the bridge, he sings, "Does it not occur to you? / Do you not prefer the truth? / I was in love with you / Though I didn’t show the proof."

Why Fans Think Zayn Maliks New Song Shoot at Will Is About Ex Gigi Hadid and Daughter Khai

In the track's second verse, he mentions, "I hold my hands up for the firing squad. If you want, you can take it all. I don't know anymore, I can't give anymore. Shoot at will because she shoots to kill, yeah. And I'm dying inside."

Earlier this month, Malik shared details about his past relationship with Gigi during an episode of The Zach Sang Show. He mentioned that he is unsure if he has ever truly been in love.

During the interview, the former One Direction member revealed that he wrote the song "Alienated" from his latest album towards the end of a previous relationship. However, he did not mention the name of the person it was about. (There were rumors about Malik dating Selena Gomez in March 2023, but neither confirmed their relationship.)

He explained that he wrote the content when he and his ex were breaking up. So, it reflects the heavy narrative of the mental struggles he was going through during that time and his thoughts and emotions.

In a recent interview with Nylon on Tuesday, May 14, Malik expressed his desire to have Khai with him 90 percent of the time, rather than sharing custody 50/50 with Gigi. He shared how they enjoy activities together like going to Disney on Ice, visiting the Nickelodeon theme park, or spending time at the beach as a way for him to unwind.

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